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Wengen [1] is a resort town in Switzerland located beneath the Eiger and Jungfrau. It sits above Lauterbrunnen and can be accessed via train, from Lauterbrunnen or from Grindelwald. Both Wengen and Grindelwald are rather upscale resorts, both for skiing in winter and hiking and bicycling in summer.

A view of Wengen from across the valley.

[edit] Get in

Wengen is most easily reached by train. Travel on the Berner Oberland-Bahn (BOB) from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen and then change to the Wengernalpbahn (WAB) for the picturesque journey up the mountainside to Wengen.

[edit] Get around

Wengen is a car-free village so the only way to get around is by walking. A few of the hotels run electric vehicle transfers to and from the station. This has the added advantage of making it a coach trip free zone, some of the surrounding villages which are accessible by road are not so lucky.

[edit][add listing] See

• Every autumn, the cows that have grazed all summer in the alpine meadows are brought down to the valley for the winter. If you're lucky, you might happen to be there on a day when they do this. It's quite an amazing sight and sound.

• Mendolssohn festival in late August.

• A really impressive model railway is outside the Belleview hotel, run by the proprietor who puts on demonstrations several times a week.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Hiking:
  • Up to the Mannlichen: a nice quiet track as the less energetic all take a cable car
  • To Wengenalp for some fantastic viewpoints down the Lauterbrunnen valley
  • Down to Lauterbrunnen

• Swimming: The outside swimming pool has amazing views of the Jungfrau and glacier, there is a very friendly bar and cafe there and the water is refreshing!

• Ice skating and curling: Check out the local ice rink.

• Shopping: The shops and bakeries are all too tempting.

• Note that the town is quiet though, especially in summer, and not the best location if you are into wild clubbing.

[edit][add listing] Buy

There are various tourist shops in the village, including an information center, as well as a small Coop supermarket where you can buy groceries. The Made in Switzerland Shop is a great place to buy presents as you avoid the disappointment of your "authentic" souvenir coming from China.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• The Old Lodge Backpackers, (Down the path below Wengen's train station), ☎ +41 (0)78 745 58 50. Huge, rambling old lodge, with basic facilities, but it boasts a lively atmosphere and fantastic views. dm Sfr25-40, r Sfr35-60.  edit

[edit] Mid-Range

• Belvédère, Galliweidli, CH-3823, (hotel@belvedere-wengen.ch, fax: +41 (0)33 856 68 69). Member of Swiss Quality Hotels International. Three star hotel located 500m from the railway station and the city center away. Bar and terrace with panoramic view of the alps. Single room from 109CHF, double room from 218CHF (as of low season 2009).  edit

[edit] Splurge

[edit] Get out

Wengen is an excellent base for exploration of the Lauterbrunnen area. A very popular trip is the Jungfraubahn which takes you through a tunnel in the mountains above Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch - 3454m above sea level.

A great view can be had from the top of the Schilthorn, home to the highest revolving restaurant in the world! At 2970m, the viewing area offers excellent views of the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau, as well as many other peaks. The Schilthorn may be reached by taking the Schilthornbahn cable car up from Stechelberg, through Gimmelwald, Mürren and Birg.

Trümmelbach Falls is a worthwhile place to visit in the valley. The falls can be reached, as can Stechelberg, by Postautobus from Lauterbrunnen.

The Männlichen cable car leaves from Wengen.